Research trends of supply chain management practice before and during pandemic: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The field of supply chain management has been undergoing numerous changes before and during the pandemic. Emerging areas have caught the attention of researchers across the globe. The purpose of this study is to provide a bibliometric review and analysis of the research trends on supply chain management practice (SCMP) in the pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic periods. We collect and filter data from the Scopus database and conduct bibliometric analysis. Before and during pandemic periods, 293 and 211 papers were selected, respectively, from 9,246 publications. The researcher utilizes VOS viewer software to analyze the findings by carrying out citation analysis and keyword analysis. The study reveals seven current research streams of high interest within SCMP: Big Data, Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Circular Economy, Industry 4.0, and Green Supply Chain. Supply chain management and sustainability are the most frequently occurring keywords. The most influential countries in pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic periods are USA and UK, respectively, with 59 and 37 publications. The Journal of Cleaner production was the most significant source of publications. This study is among the few pieces of research revealing current SCMP research trends during the pandemic. By considering the current SCMP concepts, business and policy decision-makers can adopt the modern concepts of the field to identify new opportunities by expanding capabilities in big data analytics, sustainable development, and industry 4.0 technologies.